How Soon After an Extraction Can You Get a Dental Implant?

Are you needing to have a tooth extracted? There are many different reasons why this is necessary, such as decay or an injury. This isn’t your dentists first choice, but sometimes an extraction can prevent future oral health issues. Fortunately, just because you’re losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you need to go the rest of your life without it. There are several different tooth replacement options to choose from, like dental implants in Murphy. But how long do you need to wait to get a dental implant after your tooth extraction. Read on to learn more.

How Long Do You Need to Wait for Your Dental Implant After an Extraction?

The amount of time you need to wait depends on numerous different factors, including your general health and oral health. There are three main categories:

Immediate Implant Placement

If your gum tissue is healthy and you have sufficient bone structure, your dentist can place your implant immediately after your extraction. This often occurs if a tooth is lost due to trauma or injury. Over the next three to six months, osseointegration, or the fusion process, takes place. Once this occurs, you are ready to have your permanent crown attached.

Early Implant Placement

In this case, the dental implant placement procedure occurs two to three months after your tooth extraction. The reason for this short delay is to allow damaged gums and supporting tissue or an infection to heal before implant placement. As much as half of bone resorption can occur within the first three months after an extraction, so having the implant placed as soon as possible is crucial.

Delayed Implant Placement

If you have had a decaying tooth for a long period of time, your gums and tissue are likely not in the best shape, and you may have already began experiencing bone loss. When this occurs, you might require a bone grafting procedure in order to provide enough bone stability to support an implant. Bone graft procedures require three to six months of healing before dental implant placement is an option. Once the implant is placed, another three to six months is needed before the prosthetic can be attached to it.

If you are having a tooth extracted and are considering getting a dental implant, talk to your dentist. They will be able to best inform you how long it will take before you have your smile back.

About the Author

Dr. Jacqueline T. Nguyen is an experienced dentist who has been working in the dental field for decades. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry and is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Dallas County Dental Society. For more information or to schedule an appointment at her office in Murphy, visit her website or call (972) 516-2928.